STOCKHOLM (AP) — Sweden's justice minister is facing ridicule for posting a spoof article about marijuana-linked deaths on her Facebook page along with comments about her zero-tolerance against drugs.

Beatrice Ask of Sweden's ruling Conservative Party linked to the Daily Currant's satire article, which claimed (falsely) that marijuana overdoses killed 37 people in Colorado on the first day of legalization.

Above the link she wrote: "Stupid and sad. My first bill in the youth wing was called Outfight the Drugs! In this matter I haven't changed opinion at all."

The comment quickly spread in social media, triggering widespread criticism.

Ask's press officer Per Clareus said Tuesday the minister was aware the article was fake and was trying to criticize the website for joking about such a serious matter, but was misunderstood.

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The Most And Least Used Drugs In the World

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The UNODC estimates that 2.8-4.5% of the global population aged 15-64 used cannabis in 2009. According to the report, cannabis is by far the most widely used illicit substance.
The Weed Fairy, left, smokes a massive marijuana joint right at 4:20 p.m. as thousands take part in the annual marijuana 420 smoke off at Dundas Square in Toronto on Friday, April 20, 2012. (AP Photo/The Canadian Press, Nathan Denette)

The UNODC estimates that 0.3-1.3% of the global population aged 15-64 used amphetamines, such as ecstasy, making it the second most used drug in the world.

The UNODC estimates that 0.5-0.8% of the global population aged 15-64 used opioids, such as heroin, in 2009, making it the third most used drug in the world.
A Pakistani drug user prepares a syringe of a heroin along a street in Karachi on June 25, 2012. (ASIF HASSAN/AFP/GettyImages)

The UNODC estimates that 0.3-0.5% of the global population aged 15-64 used cocaine in 2009.
Anti-narcotics police Director Walter Sanchez, left, holds a bag of seized cocaine with an unidentified official during a news conference showing an estimated 2,400 kilograms (5,300 pounds) of seized cocaine at the narcotics police base in Lima, Peru, Friday, May 18, 2012. (AP Photo/Martin Mejia)